(a) There is established the Connecticut Food Policy Council which shall be within the Department of Agriculture.

(b) The council shall consist of the following members: (1) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate who shall be involved in agriculture or in an agriculture organization; (2) one appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate who shall be involved in an antihunger organization; (3) one appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall represent the Cooperative Extension Service; (4) one appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives who shall be a food retailer; (5) one appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives who shall be involved in agriculture or in an agriculture organization; (6) one appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives who shall be a produce wholesaler; (7) the Commissioner of Agriculture, or his designee; (8) the Commissioner of Administrative Services, or his designee; (9) the Commissioner of Education, or his designee; (10) the Commissioner of Transportation, or his designee; (11) the Commissioner of Public Health, or his designee; (12) the Commissioner of Social Services, or his designee; (13) the head of each state department, as defined in section 4-5, who is not one of the commissioners designated in subdivisions (7) to (12), inclusive, of this subsection who shall be members ex officio without the right to vote; and (14) the chairman of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the environment who shall be a member ex officio without the right to vote. The council shall elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from among its members. Any person absent from (A) three consecutive meetings of the commission or (B) fifty per cent of such meetings during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from the council, effective immediately. Vacancies on the council shall be filled by the appointing authority. Members of the council serve without compensation but shall, within the limits of available funds, be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties. The council shall meet as often as deemed necessary by the chairperson or a majority of the council.

(c) The council shall: (1) Develop, coordinate and implement a food system policy linking local economic development, environmental protection and preservation with farming and urban issues; (2) review and comment on any proposed state legislation and regulations that would affect the food policy system of the state; (3) advise and provide information to the Governor on the state's food policy; and (4) prepare and submit to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the environment an annual report concerning its activities with any appropriate recommendations concerning food policy.

(d) The council may use such funds as may be available from federal, state or other sources and may enter into contracts to carry out the purposes of this section.

(e) The council may, subject to the provisions of chapter 67, employ any necessary staff within available appropriations.

(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-11, S. 21, 65; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(e), (f); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)

History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-11 effective July 1, 1997; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner and Department of Agriculture with Commissioner and Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004.